Remove or restore items quarantined by Windows Defender

Applies to Windows Vista

When Windows Defender quarantines software, it moves it to another location on your computer, and then prevents the software from running until you choose to restore it or remove it from your computer.

To remove or restore quarantined items

Open Windows Defender by clicking the Start button , clicking All Programs, and then clicking Windows Defender.

Click Tools, and then click Quarantined items.

Review each item, and then for each, click Remove or Restore. If you want to remove all quarantined items from your computer, click Remove All. If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.

Warning

Do not restore software with severe or high alert ratings because it can put your privacy and the security of your computer at risk.